The role of Anti-PAD4, Anti-CarP, and Anti-RA33 antibodies combined with RF and ACPA in predicting abatacept response in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To explore the role of newly emerging autoantibodies (AAbs) - peptidyl-arginine deiminase 4 (aPAD4), carbamylated proteins (aCarP), and anti-RA33 (aRA33) - alongside the traditionally assessed rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), in predicting the response to abatacept (ABT) and its retention rate in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods: Data from 121 consecutive ABT-treated RA patients were recorded. The RF and ACPA status were retrospectively assessed by reviewing the patients' clinical records.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is associated with a more severe interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis in the EUSTAR cohort.

Objectives: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is frequent in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and could predict progression of interstitial lung disease (ILD). We aimed to analyse (1) the prevalence of GERD among SSc-ILD patients, (2) its association with disease characteristics and (3) predictive factors for ILD progression in SSc-ILD patients with GERD.

Methods: SSc patients from the EUSTAR database with ILD were included.

The Long-Lasting Effect of Multidisciplinary Interventions for Emotional and Social Loneliness in Older Community-Dwelling Individuals: A Systematic Review.

Background: Loneliness can occur at any age, but it is more prevalent among older adults due to the associated risk factors. Various interventions exist to improve this situation, but little is known about their long-term effects. Our aims were to determine if these interventions have long-lasting effects and for how long they can be sustained.

Social and Mental Health Factors Involved in the Severity of Loneliness in Older Individuals in a Spanish Rural Area.

: Loneliness in older people, especially those living in rural areas, is a phenomenon that has received little attention in research and can have detrimental effects on quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate loneliness and the psychosocial factors associated with loneliness in rural Spain, which have been minimally studied. : A cross-sectional study was carried out in a sample of permanently resident older people in the region (Valencia, Spain), a geographic area with very low population density.

An expert consensus statement on biomarkers of ageing for use in intervention studies.

Biomarkers of ageing serve as important outcome measures in longevity-promoting interventions. However, there is limited consensus on which specific biomarkers are most appropriate for human intervention studies. This work aimed to address this need by establishing an expert consensus on biomarkers of ageing for use in intervention studies via the Delphi method.

Diagnostic accuracy of isometric knee extension strength as a sarcopenia criteria in older women.

Background: Muscle strength is one of the most reliable measures used for the identification of sarcopenia. The European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People update (EWGSOP2) proposed the use of grip strength and chair stand tests, while clarifying that isometric torque methods can be used when performing the grip strength test is impossible. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of isometric knee extension strength in screening for sarcopenia.

Long-Term Caregiving Impact and Self-Care Strategies in Family Caregivers of People with Neuropsychiatric Disorders: A Mixed-Method Study.

Family caregivers of people with neuropsychiatric conditions are at risk of caregiver burden and declining health. The aims of this study were to identify the impact of caring on long-term family caregivers and their unmet needs and to explore their self-care strategies for achieving a successful caregiving experience. A mixed-method study was conducted using semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire in which standardized, self-reported measures of burden, health behaviors, sleep, and mental well-being were administered.

Salivary IL-1 Beta Level Associated with Poor Sleep Quality in Children/Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Background: Sleep disorders are common in youths with autism spectrum disorders. Inflammatory cytokines such as Il-1 beta and Il-6 in saliva have been associated with alterations in sleep quality in various conditions. We assessed whether there were associations between the salivary concentration of IL-1 beta and IL-6 and sleep quality in youths with ASD versus typically developing (TD) age- and gender-matched youths.

Astrocyte aquaporin mediates a tonic water efflux maintaining brain homeostasis.

Brain water homeostasis not only provides a physical protection, but also determines the diffusion of chemical molecules key for information processing and metabolic stability. As a major type of glia in brain parenchyma, astrocytes are the dominant cell type expressing aquaporin water channel. How astrocyte aquaporin contributes to brain water homeostasis in basal physiology remains to be understood.

A new instrument for the screening of psoriatic arthritis among psoriatic patients.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of a dermatologist-filled-in 7-item questionnaire (called HERACLES) as a screening tool for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in patients with psoriasis.

Methods: This study was performed in Italy in seven dermatology centres cooperating with rheumatology centres. Adults with psoriasis were consecutively recruited up to a calculated number of 750.

Effect of a Physical Exercise Intervention on Physical Function Parameters and Blood Analytical Changes in Lung Cancer Survivors: A Feasibility Study.

Lung cancer carries a high burden of systemic symptoms, including in survivors, leading to a reduced quality of life (QoL). We assessed whether a 12-week multicomponent supervised exercise programme, including muscular strength and aerobic training, was beneficial in patients who had undergone surgery for early non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in terms of physical performance, QoL, and metabolic and nutritional analytical parameters. Physical performance was measured by gait speed, handgrip strength, 30 s sit-to-stand (30s-STS) test repetitions, distance covered in the 6 min walk test (6MWT), and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score.

Corrigendum to: Mood Disorder Questionnaire Positivity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Other Chronic Diseases.

[This corrects the article on p. e17450179303653 in vol. 20 PMC11318155.

Efficacy and safety of infliximab or adalimumab in severe mucocutaneous Behçet's syndrome refractory to traditional immunosuppressants: a 6-month, multicentre, randomised controlled, prospective, parallel group, single-blind trial.

Introduction: Evidence from randomised controlled trials on anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents in patients with Behçet's syndrome (BS) is low.

Method: We conducted a phase 3, multicentre, prospective, randomised, active-controlled, parallel-group study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of either infliximab (IFX) or adalimumab (ADA) in patients with BS. Adults patients with BS presenting with active mucocutaneous manifestations, occurring while on therapy with either azathioprine or cyclosporine for at least 3 months prior to study entry, were eligible.

Four-year effectiveness, safety and drug retention rate of secukinumab in psoriatic arthritis: a real-life Italian multicenter cohort.

Objectives: to evaluate over a 48-month follow-up period the: 1) long-term effectiveness and safety; 2) drug retention rate (DRR); 3) impact of comorbidities and bDMARDs line on MDA and DAPSA remission/low disease activity (LDA) of secukinumab in a multicenter Italian cohort of PsA patients.

Methods: Consecutive PsA patients receiving secukinumab were followed prospectively in Italian centers between 2016 and 2023. Disease characteristics, previous/ongoing treatments, comorbidities and follow-up duration were recorded.

Association between Hand Hygiene Knowledge and Self-Efficacy in Nursing Students: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study within the Framework of the Erasmus Project.

Adherence to hand hygiene procedures is crucial for all populations, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has implemented specific guidelines for infection control. Frequent and correct hand hygiene can prevent infections, but non-compliance with hand hygiene is pervasive. Nursing students address this issue from the beginning of their training.

Autistic Children/Adolescents Have Lower Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Higher Salivary IL-6 Concentration: Potential Diet-Inflammation Links?

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders. Many patients with ASD often show behavioral problems at mealtimes, including food selectivity and atypical feeding behaviors. The Mediterranean diet (MD) has a beneficial effect on mental health for the general population across different ages.

Relationship Between Ultrasound and Physical Examination in the Assessment of Enthesitis in Patients With Spondyloarthritis: Results From the DEUS Multicenter Study.

Objective: The study objectives were (i) to explore the agreement between the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) ultrasound lesions of enthesitis and physical examination in assessing enthesitis in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) and (ii) to investigate the prevalence and clinical relevance of subclinical enthesitis in this population.

Methods: Twenty rheumatology centers participated in this cross-sectional study. Patients with SpA, including axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), underwent both ultrasound scan and physical examination of large lower limb entheses.

Mood Disorder Questionnaire Positivity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Other Chronic Diseases including Screen Bipolar Disorders or Rhythm and Energy Dysregulation Syndromes (DYMERS).

Introduction: This study explores the issue of paper-and-pencil screening tests for bipolar disorder, often leading to false positives. It discusses hypotheses that connect MDQ positivity with sleep disorders, a decline in health-related quality of life, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mood disorders. The study proposes that MDQ identifies a "Dysregulation of Mood, Energy, and Social Rhythms Syndrome" (DYMERS), indicating a stress-related condition.

Four-year real-world experience of secukinumab in a large Italian cohort of axial spondyloarthritis.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate in a real-life Italian multicenter cohort of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) (1) the 4-year effectiveness and safety of secukinumab, (2) the drug retention rate (DRR), and (3) the impact of the line of bDMARDs treatment, subtype of axSpA, and sex on achieving low disease activity (LDA) and very low disease activity (VLDA).

Methods: Consecutive axSpA patients receiving secukinumab between 2016 and 2023 were prospectively evaluated. Data on disease characteristics, previous/ongoing treatments, comorbidities, and follow-up duration were collected.

Effectiveness of ixekizumab over 24 months in different clinical scenarios in psoriatic arthritis: results from the Gruppo Italiano Studio Early Arthritis multicentric prospective registry.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate ixekizumab (IXE) effectiveness, drug survival and clinical response predictors in moderate-severe psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients in different clinical scenarios.

Methods: This was a multicentre real-life observational study based on Gruppo Italiano Studio Early Arthritis (GISEA) registry of IXE treatment in PsA patients (January 2019-June 2023). Data were collected at baseline and every six months.

Anifrolumab in Refractory Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Real-World, Multicenter Study.

Objective: To report real-world experience on the use of anifrolumab (ANI) in refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: The present study is a multicenter, retrospective study involving 9 Italian SLE referral centers participating in a compassionate use program for the use of ANI in adult patients with active SLE in whom all the available treatment choices failed, were not tolerated, or were contraindicated. At baseline and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of treatment, overall and organ-specific disease activity, flares, daily glucocorticoid (GC) dose, and adverse events were recorded.

Exploring relief for Behçet's disease refractory oral ulcers: a comparison of TNF inhibitors versus apremilast.

Objectives: Oral and genital ulcers are the hallmark manifestation of Behçet's disease (BD), significantly impacting patients' quality of life. Our study focuses on comparing the effectiveness and safety of TNF inhibitors (TNFis) and apremilast in controlling oral ulcers of BD, aiming to provide evidence-based guidance for physicians in selecting appropriate treatment modalities.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on BD patients treated between December 2016 and December 2021 with TNFis or apremilast for refractory oral ulcers.

How palatal vault morphology and screw length influence the accuracy of dynamic computer-guided orthodontic miniscrew insertion. A prospective clinical study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of palatal vault morphology and screw length on the accuracy of miniscrew insertion in dynamic computer-assisted surgery (d-CAS).

Methods: Twenty-four subjects were allocated into three groups, according to their palatal vault morphology (Group A: medium; Group B: steep/high; Group C: low/flat) and the length of miniscrew used. For each subject, two miniscrews were inserted using a dynamic navigation system.